3V 
4-515 

1651 


])0¥NEyS  I'jlOl'ERBS 


BLANK    BOOK    MANUFACTURED,     j 


I 


IvIBRARY 

OF  THE 


University  of  California, 

GIFTT  OF 


^Accession 

86269 

Cl(us 

f.i:kUerkE|itt.». 


ilii 


PROVERBS, 


BY 


REV.  WILLIAM  SCOTT,D0WNEY,  B.D. 


BAPTIST  MISSIONARY. 


'to  U5I>IS8TJLtn>  A.  PBOTE&B,  AJTU  THE  INTSBPRETATION  ;   TBB  WO£I>S  07  T&K  WIBS,  AJIP  TBOS  PAAX 

SATiNOS.— Proverbs  of  Solomon. 


THIRD    EDITION. 


-O©^ 


Neh)  Orleans : 
PRINTED  BY   DAVIES,    SON  &  CO., 

57  CAMP  STREET. 

r  1851. 


ly 


,\>- 


r1>.V 


C-. 


.^y 


PEEFAGE, 


Again  I  briefly  commend,  with  grateful  feelings, 
the  third  edition  of  my  little  offering,  to  the  goodwill 
and  indulgent  criticism  of  men  of  moral  excellence, 
hoping  for  the  same  substantial  evidence  of  approba- 
tion which  ran  out  the  first  and  second  edition  if 
the  sentiments  in  its  leaves  are  truthfully  applied. 

New  Orleans,  La.,  March  ZOth,  IS-^l. 


86269 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/downproverbsOOrich 


iJMMtxkSiMM. 


PROVERBS 


REV.  WILLIAM  SCOTT  DOWNEY, 

BAPTIST    MISSIONARY. 

CHAPTER  I: 

1.  Would  men  but  look  more  minutely  into 
the  glass  of  their  own  imperfections,  we  should 
find  them  less  censorious. 

2.  A  well-spent  Sabbath  on  earth,  prepares  us 
for  the  spending  of  a  better  one  in  Heaven. 

3.  It  is  far  better  to  die  a  porter  in  the  fear  of 
God,  than  a  courtier  in  the  fear  of  the  devil. 

4.  Forced  lov,e  must  soon  become  mortal 
hatred. 

5.  As  large  trees  are  not  the  most  productive, 
neither  are  wealthy  men  the  most  liberal. 


6 

6.  To  be  rich,  in  most  cases,  is  to  be  arrogant 
and  selfish. 

7.  Strong  drinks  are  like  wars,  making  crip- 
ples of  some  men,  and  sending  others  to  the 
grave. 

8.  No  man  should  think  better  or  worse  of 
himself  merely  on  account  of  his  birth ;  but  ra- 
ther let  all  think  soberly. 

9.  Beauty,  like  riches,  has  been  productive  of 
moie  evil  than  good. 

10.  The  tongue  of  the  slanderer  is  a  deadly 
poison ;  and  the  voice  of  the  scold  gloomy. 

11.  Poor  is  the  man  that  can  boast  of  nothing 
more  than  gold ;  and  equally  so  must  the  woman 
be  who  can  boast  of  nothing  but  her  beauty. 

12.  The  contrast  which  exists  between  the 
abstemious  man  and  the  drunkard  is  this  — 
the  former  governs  his  affairs,  but  the  affairs  of 
the  latter  govern  him. 

13.  The  seas  are  not  still  while  the  wind  is 
strong;  neither  can  a  man  be  spiritually  alive 
while  his  affections  are  upon  the  earth. 


CHAPTER  II. 

1.  He  who  would  guide  others,  ought  first  to 
guide  himself. 

2.  Rather  be  pierced  by  a  dart,  than  by  the^ 
tongue  of  a  wife. 

3.  The  religion  of  the  tongue  is  as  the  leaves 
of  a  tree,  while  that  of  the  heart  is  its  fruits. 

4.  A  Christian  never  exposes  himself  more 
than  when  he  neglects  to  pray. 

5.  The  use  of  strong  drinks,  to  most  persons, 
is  as  pills  of  arsenic  disguised  in  a  honey-comb 
—  although  palatable  at  first,  it  is  ruin  at  last. 

6.  Should  thy  birth  be  noble,  let  good  deeds 
show  it ;  should  thy  birth  be  mean,  let  christian 
graces  beautify  it. 

7.  Men  possessing  small  souls  are  generally 
the  authors  of  great  evils. 

8.  To  die  happy,  you  must  live  holy  —  receiv- 
ing injuries  without  complaining,  and  readily 
forgiving  them. 

9.  Better  would  ignorant  men  remain  silent^ 
than  from  the  lack  of  argument  babble. 


s    8 

10.  =^While  traveling,  I  often  noticed  bull 
dogs  lying  still,  while  puppies  were  barking. 

11.  For  a  tutor  to  give  to  a  pupil  a  longer 
lesson  than  what  his  capacity  will  receive,  is 
much  like  a  farmer  giving  a  heavier  load  to  an 
ass,  than  what  he  can  take  to  market. 

12.  Religion  is  a  substance,  while  pleasure  is 
but  a  shadow. 

*  The  above  was  written  to  silence  the  impertinent  answers 
of  an  employed,  from  whose  wealthy  employer  I  had  received 
much  attention.  W.  S.  D. 


CHAPTER  III. 

1.  Truth,  although  harmless  as  the  dove,  is 
much  stronger  than  the  lion. 

2.  The  indolent  man  values  rest ;  but  the  in- 
dustrious man  labor. 

3.  Would  most  rich  men  be  as  ready  to  aid 
the  needy  as  what  they  are  to  insult  them,  many 
would  be  a  blessing,  and  not  a  curse  to  those 
around  them. 

4.  In  loving  a  godly  man,  we  love  both  God 
and  man. 

5.  Most  men  are  preparing  how  to  live,  but, 
alas,  not  how  to  die.  Let  such  bear  in  mind 
that  all  who  are  profligate  with  their  means  in 
summer,  must  perish  in  winter,  for  there  is  no 
probation  in  eternity. 

6.  Would  women  be  as  silent  in  most  things, 
as  they  are  in  telling  their  true  age,  men  would 
be  far  easier,  and  courts  of  justice  less  troubled. 

7.  Never  be  too  precipitate  in  your  decisions, 
but  previous  to  pronouncing  them,  maturely 
consider  both  sides  of  the  question. 

8.  If  most  married  women  possessed  as  much 


10 

prudence   as   they   do  vanity,  we   should  find 
many  husbands  far  happier. 

9.  We  frequently  find  men,  while  attempting 
to  ridicule  others,  exhibiting  their  own  ignor- 
ance. 

10.  Would  ungodly  men  but  think  more  of 
the  union  which  exists  between  God  and  his 
ministers,  we  should  find  them  unwilling  to 
offend  the  poorest  of  them. 

11.  Punctuality  strengthens  confidence  and 
secures  respect. 

12.  To  bring  forward  past  grievances  is  folly; 
but  to  forgive,  and  strive  to  forget  them,  is 
■^yisdom. 


11 

CHAPTER  IV. 

1.  A  man's  time  is  his  property ;  it  therefore 
behooveth  him  to  improve  it. 

2.  Would  man  but  think  more  of  his  proba- 
tionary stay  on  earth,  how  very  trifling  would 
the  pleasures  of  this  transitory  world  appear  to 
him. 

3.  An  uxorious  husband  makes  a  scolding 
wife,  and  an  over  fond  parent,  a  spoiled  child. 

4.  Diligence,  frugality,  and  perseverance,  are 
the  leading  «teps  to  weaUh. 

5.  Scolding  wives  are  as  bad  clocks,  which 
are  seldom  in  order. 

6.  A  prudent  woman  studies  the  comforts  of 
her  husband,  and  of  her  household ;  whereas  a 
scold  and  spendthrift  thinks  of  parties,  and 
fashions. 

7.  Marriage  is  the  comfort  of  the  considerate 
and  prudent ;  but  the  torment  of  the  inconsider- 
ate and  self-willed. 

8.  Through  religion  we  may  pass  to  joys 
above  ;  but  through  worldly  pleasures,  we  shall 
pass  to  torments  below. 


12 

9.  A  wise  man  is  he  who  keeps  his  own  se- 
secrets,  and  adheres  to  charity. 

10.  Religion  protects,  while  sin  exposes  to 
shame  and  contempt. 

11.  While  many  individuals'  wishes  are  to 
arrive  at  Heaven,  we  daily  behold  them  on  the 
road  to  hell. 

12.  Whatever  has  been  the  fault  of  one 
woman,  may  be  the  fault  of  another. 

13.  Family  worship  is  a  spiritual  wall,  which, 
if  attended  to,  will  keep  from  the  Christian's 
door  such  temptations  as  he  must  be  otherwise 
exposed  to. 


13 

CHAPTER  V. 

1.  Ignorance  and  impudence  are  inseparable 
companions. 

2.  Riches  have  benefited  tens,  and  ruined 
thousands. 

3.  In  religion  consists  the  happiness  of  the 
wise  ;  but  in  gold,  that  of  fools. 

4.  It  is  wisdom  to  bear  silently  with  evils 
which  we  cannot  remedy;  but  the  greatest  folly 
to  clamor  against  them. 

5.  Would  you  have  others  to  befriend  you, 
be  friendly :  would  you  have  them  respect  you, 
respect  yourself. 

6.  •As  there  is  innocence  in  babes,  and  imbe- 
cility in  old  age,  even  so  there  is  envy  in  pover- 
ty, and  arrogance  in  opulence. 

7.  Td  receive  an  injury,  is  to  be  wounded; 
but  to  forgive  and  to  forget  it,  is  the  cure. 

8.  Law  without  justice,  is  as  a  wound  without 
a  cure. 

9.  Prosperity  gathers  smiles,  while  adversity 
scatters  them. 


14 

10.  To  keep  your  secrets  is  wisdom ;  but  to 
expect  others  to  keep  them  is  folly. 

11.  To  countenance  fraud  is  to  succor  crime; 
but  to  punish  crime  is  to  expose  the  devil. 


15 


CHAPTEE  YI. 

1.  A  gay  body  often  accompanies  a  weeping 
soul. 

2.  Money  makes  the  gay  lady ;  but  virtue  the 
noble  Avoman. 

3.  The  sword  was  never  intended  for  murder^ 
but  defence ;  neither  was  the  tongue  intended 
for  slander,  but  prayers  and  praises. 

4.  The  hearer  of  God's  word  is  a  tree  planted ; 
but  the  doer  is  a  fruitful  one. 

5.  It  is  better  to  drink  the  water  of  industry 
from  an  earthen  cup,  than  the  wine  of  indolence 
from  a  silver  tankard. 

6.  Most  fashionable  ladies  are  as  diamonds, 
because  they  are  more  costly  than  useful. 

7.  Never  be  angry  with  your  neighbor  be- 
cause his  religious  views  differ  from  your  own; 
for  all  the  branches  of  a  tree  do  not  lean  the 
same  way. 

8.  Judge  nothing  by  the  appearance.  The 
more  beautiful  the  serpent,  the  more  fatal  its 
sting. 

9.  As  it  is  not  sinful  to  be  poor,  but  to  be 


16 

dishonest ;  neither  is  it  sinful  to  be  rich,  but  to 
be  sordid. 

10.  A  sacrifice  of  property  denotes  philan- 
thropy ;  but  a  sacrifice  of  feeling  denotes  love. 

11.  Never  respect  men  merely  for  their  riches, 
but  rather  for  their  philanthropy:  v^e  do  not 
value  the  sun  for  its  height,  but  for  its  use. 

12.  Man  plows  the  ground  to  make  it  prolific ; 
God  plows  the  heart  to  make  us  christians. 

13.  The  lovers  of  ice  should  prepare  for  Hea- 
ven^  as  there  is  none  to  be  met  with  in  hell. 


17 
CHAPTER  VII. 

1.  The  difference  between  a  godly  wife  and 
a  worldly  one  is  this  :  the  former  is  a  real  gem, 
shining  in  the  dark  evening  of  adversity ;  but 
the  latter  is  a  mere  paste,  glittering  only  in  the 
iTiorning  of  prosperity."^ 

2.  A  generous  and  liberal  man  gives  what  he 
can,  and  not  what  he  will ;  a  covetous  man  gets 
what  he  can,  and  hoards  it  at  his  will. 

3.  For  an  individual  to.  speak  his  mind  on 
every  trivial  occasion,  is  nouch  like  a  quack, 
who  would  give  mercury  to  a  sick  man  for 
every  complaint. 

4.  To  love  for  beauty,  and  nat  for  virtue,  is 
to  love  the  gem  on  account  of  its  lustre ;  but  to 
love  for  virtue,  and  not  for  beauty,  is  to  love  the 
ruby  for  it  value. 

5.  When  one  errs  from  ignorance,  he  merits 
pity ;  but  when  he  errs  wilfully,  let  us  be  spar- 
ing in  our  reproaches,  for  all  men  have  human 
sensibilities. 

^  The  above  was  written  in  compliment  to  my  Yankee  wife. 

W.  S.  D. 


18 

6.  Children  are  like  beggars,  often  coming 
without  being  called. 

7.  Jesting  among  men,  is  an  evil  of  a  greater 
magnitude  than  most  persons  are  inclined  to 
believe ;  while  indulging  in  it,  we  are  given  to 
lies;  let  Christians  avoid  it.  How  can  we 
believe  the  parties  to-day  who  deceived  us  but 
the  day  before  ? 


19 
CHAPTEE  YIII. 

1.  To  pick  a  woman's  curiosity,  is  to  make 
her  pliable. 

2.  Virtue  and  hospitality  are  spontaneou.s 
growths,  which  are  often  to  be  met  with  where 
we  least  expect  them. 

3.  When  an  intimate  friend  turns  from  us, 
we  often  find  him  the  most  inveterate  enemy. 

4.  The  rich  man  travels  as  he  pleases,  but  the 
poor  man  travels  as  he  can. 

5.  To  pray  without  faith,  is  to  make  a  small 
fire  while  it  is  raining  heavily. 

6.  As  the  compass,  quadrant  and  chart  are  the 
mariner's  guide  while  on  a  voyage,  even  so 
should  the  bible,  faith,  and  prayer  be  the  Chris- 
tian's pilot,  while  on  his  voyage  through  time. 

7.  The  Christian's  trumpet  is  earnest  and  fer- 
vent prayer;  let  him  not  forget  to  sound  it 
while  the  enemy  is  near. 

8.  As  honey  is  sweet  to  the  taste,  and  roses 
pleasant  to  the  smell,  even  so  does  religion 
speed  us  to  Heaven,  but  pleasures  to  hell. 


20 


0.  11  a  felon  trembles  before  an  earthly  judge, 
who  is  but  a  mere  man,  how  will  an  impenitent 
sinner  stand  before  the  heavenly  judge,  who  is 
botli  God  and  man. 


21 
CHAP  TEH  IX. 

1.  As  there  are  charms  in  music,  and  value  in 
gold,  even  so  there  is  danger  in  beauty,  and 
delusion  in  pleasure. 

2.  It  is  easier  to  make  the  indigent  weahhy, 
and  the  arrogant  meek,  than  to  make  a  rebel 
loyal,  lawyers  preach  what  they  practice,  or 
parsons  pl*actice  all  they  preach. 

3.  Flood  of  waters  can  but  destroy  the  body  ; 
a  deluge  of  sin  must  destroy  the  soul. 

4.  Wealth  may  conceal  a  man's  crimes  — 
strength  may  rid  him  of  his  foes  —  but  neither 
the  one  nor  the  other  can  bribe  the  monster 
Death,  or  overcome  impartial  time, 

5.  The  match  which  lit  your  candle  Avill  re- 
duce a  town  to  ashes.  The  smallest  sin  will 
endanger  both  the  soul  of  the  preacher  and 
hearer. 

6.  To  expect  to  reach  Heaven  without  living 
holy,  is  to  expect  to  move  the  ^Alps'  by  the 
strength  of  man's  voice, 

7.  As  prejudice  is  deaf,  and  necessity  lawless 
—  even  so  are  beauties  void,  and  beggars 
covetous. 


22 

8.  Let  every  slanderer  consider  himself  no 
other  than  the  child  of  the  devil  —  who,  while 
deceiving  Eve,  slandered  God.     Gen.  iii.,  4,  5. 

9.  Doctrine  without  precept,  is  as  a  book 
without  print. 


23 


CHAPTER  X. 

1.  As  the  careless  rider,  who,  on  descending  a 
hill,  endangers  his  life  by  giving  slack  reins  to 
his  horse,  even  so  do  some  men  endanger  their 
domestic  happiness  by  giving  too  much  license 
to  their  thoughtless  young  wives. 

2.  The  beauty  of  a  man's  person  may  attract 
attention,  while  the  nobleness  of  his  soul  alone 
will  preserve  admiration. 

3.  As  credulity  is  the  sister  of  innocence, 
even  so  is  concealment  the  enemy  to  tranquility. 

4.  For  an  individual  to  say  he  loves  God, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  be  otherwise  than  cha- 
ritable towards  man,  is  much  like  one  who 
would  have  us  believe  him  a  true  son  of  the 
Church  of  Rome,  while  he  hates  the  Pope. 

5.  For  a  man  to  feed  his  body  at  the  expense 
of  his  soul,  is  the  greatest  folly  ;  nor  are  those 
doing  less,  who  desire  the  applause  of  men 
more  than  the  grace  of  God. 

6.  The  warrior  who  unthinkingly  wanders 
from  his  camp  unarmed,  can  make  but  feeble 
resistance   ^hen   overtaken    by  the   enemy  — 


24 

even  so   must   be    the   case  with   all   nominal 
Christians. 

7.  The  prescriptions  of  skilful  physicians  and 
surgeons  may  cure  the  inveterate  diseases  of  a 
man's  bfirfy,  whereas  the  receipts  of  the  inspired 
writers  of  the  bible  alone  can  heal  the  soul. 


25 

CHAPTER  XI. 

1.  Those  who  cannot  keep  their  own  secrets, 
ought  not  to  be  intrusted  with  the  secrets  of 
others :  how  can  we  expect  the  plant  of  a  tro- 
pical climate,  which  droops  in  our  summer,  to 
flourish  in  winter  ? 

2.  The  prescriptions  of  quacks  can  but  injure 
the  body  which  is  already  dying,  but  the  doc- 
trine of  Atheists  must  injure  the  soul  that  can 
never  die. 

8.  To  be  truly  pious,  is  to  be  truly  loyal. 

4.  To  travel  across  the  Atlatitic,  we  make 
much  preparation;  but  to  travel  through  time 
we  make  little  or  no  preparation.  This  is 
vanity ! 

5.  The  contrast  between  a  wise  and  a  foolish 
man  is  this :  the  former  sees  much,  thinks  much, 
and  speaks  little;  but  the  latter  speaks  more 
than  either  he  sees  or  thinks. 

6.  As  the  covetous  man  thirsts  after  gold, 
and  the  drunkard  after  strong  drinks,  so  should 
the  Christian's  thirst  be  for  religion. 


26 

7.  Wealth  may  add  splendor  to  life,  while 
religion  alone  can  secure  substantial  happiness. 

8.  The  mind  is  nothing  less  than  a  garden  of 
inestimable  value,  which  man  should  strive  to 
cultivate, 

9.  Better  is  it  to  tell  a  man  of  his  faults,  than 
it  is  to  speak  of  them  in  his  absence. 


27 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

1.  To  acquire  wealth  is  to  create  friends ;  but 
to  gain  knowledge  is  to  acquire  that  power  of 
which  fame  will  speak. 

2.  As  man  loves  the  vine  for  its  fruits,  so  let 
him  love  his  Creator  for  the  gifts  He  has  boun- 
tifully bestowed  upon  him. 

8.  As  there  is  craft  in  law,  even  so  is  there 
fallacy  in  politics  and  envy  in  poverty. 

4.  As  the  diamond  is  among  precious  stones^ 
even  so  is  the  bible  among  books. 

5.  For  one  to  admire  a  woman  merely  for 
her  beauty,  is  to  love  the  building  for  its  exte- 
rior;  but  to  love  one  for  the  greatness  of  her 
sou],  is  to  appreciate  the  tenement  for  its  intrin- 
sic value. 

6.  To  seek  for  tee-totallers  at  a  gin-shop,  is 
to  expect  liberal  donations  from  misers,  or  to 
hear  thieves  speaking  truths,  and  priests  refusing 
tithes. 

7.  Food  and  raiment  preserves  the  body ;  but 
prayer  and  fasting  must  benefit  the  soul. 

8.  As  the  steamboat  goes  against  wind  and 


28 

tide,  even  so  does  the  free-thinker  argue  against 
reason  and  revelation. 

9.  Education  may  refine  the  manners,  but 
the  grace  of  God  alone  can  refine  the  soul. 

10.  Never  repine  at  your  lot :  all  the  heavenly 
bodies  are  not  suns  and  moons. 

11.  Light  and  darkness  can  not  exist  to- 
gether; neither  can  good  works  issue  from  a 
depraved  heart. 

12.  The  best  sauce  for  a  dish  of  adversity  is 
Christian  resignation. 

13.  As  it  is  not  the  mere  mastication  of  the 
food  which  satisfies  the  hungry  soul,  neither  is 
it  the  mere  reading  of  the  bible  that  benefits  the 
reader,  but  the  digestion. 


29 

CHAPTER   XIII. 

1.  The  difference  between  religion  and  plea- 
sure is  this :  the  former  enlightens  and  elevates, 
but  the  latter  intoxicates  and  cankers. 

2.  Of  your  neighbor's  faults  see  little,  hear 
little,  and  speak  less  than  you-  either  see  or  hear. 

3.  While  the  reading  of  ^novels  and  roman- 
ces' confines  the  thoughts  of  men  to  things 
below,  the  perusal  of  the  bible  raises  them  to 
things  above. 

4.  We  often  find  men  possessing  forbidding 
appearances,  like  cloudy  mornings,  which  end 
in  bright  noons  and  balmy  evenings. 

5.  To  touch  a  man's  pocket  is  to  try  his  phi- 
lanthropy. 

6.  As  we  do  not  appreciate  the  diamond 
merely  for  its  lustre,  neither  should  we  value 
doctrine  without  example. 

7.  No  horse  is  so  sure-footed  but  he  may 
stumble;  neither  is  any  woman  so  pious  but 
she  may  fall. 

8.  It  is  good  for  a  man  to  repent  of  his  sins, 
but  better  for  him  had  he  never  sinned. 

9.  The  vanity  of  woman,   like   ambition   in 


30 

man,  too  frequently  leads  her  into  snares,  from 
which  she  is  seldom  extricated  without  sustain- 
ing much  loss  of  time,  and  embarrassment  of 
mind. 

10.  The  smiles  of  woman  are  of  so  irresisti- 
ble a  nature,  that  while  warriors  are  subdued  by 
them,  monks  and  abbots  are  disrobed  of  their 
sanctity. 

11.  Would  men  take  the  same  care  of  their 
souls  as  they  do  of  their  bodies,  we  should  find 
our  churches  as  thronged  upon  the  Sabbath,  as 
om*  markets  are  upon  a  Saturday. 

12.  No  man  is  so  learned  but  he  may  be 
taught ;  neither  is  any  so  illiterate  but  he  may 
teach. 

13.  Look  at  home  first;  after,  you  may  see 
more  clearly  abroad ;  all  who  would  accomplish 
a  reformation  in  others,  should  first  be  reformed 
themselves. 

14.  Of  what  shall  man  be  proud? — seeing  his 
greatness  must  decline,  and  his  beauty  fade ! 

15.  A  man  cannot  walk  among  thorns  and 
not  be  pierced,  neither  can  he  lead  an  impious 
life  and  die  easy. 


31 

16.  It  is  easier  to  make  a  glass  tube  pliable^ 
than  convince  an  obstinate  woman. 

17.  As  it  is  not  the  mere  sight  of  the  medicine 
that  cures  the  sick,  neither  is  it  the  prayer  of 
the  tongue  that  prepares  us  for  Heaven, 


32 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

1.  As  a  good  tree  produces  good  fruit,  even 
5^0  does  a  virtuous  soul  produce  pure  thoughts. 

2.  A  pimple  may  occasion  death  ;  even  so 
will  the  smallest  sin  lead  to  eternal  misery. 

3.  As  birds  of  fine  plumage  are  not  the  best 
songsters,  neither  are  comely  women  the  most 
virtuous. 

4.  Falsehood  is  a  polished  exterior,  but  truth 
is  a  gemmed  interior. 

5.  The  school  boy's  gmde  should  be  his  pa- 
rents and  teacher  :  even  so-  should  every  man's 
guide  be  the  bible  and  his  conscience. 

6.  To  be  poor,  in  most  cases,  is  to  be  cove- 
4ous  and  despondent. 

7.  Most  women  act  as  if  they  were  born  to 
wound  and  not  to  heal. 

8.  The  diflerence  between;  the  philanthropist 
and  miser  i^  this*.,  the  former  lives  to  give,  but 
the  latter  dies  to  give. 

9.  While  bars  and  locks  may  baffle  the  thief,, 
virtue  alone  will  defeat  the  slanderer. 

10.  The  lack  of  gold  can  but  impair  a  man's 


•F  T1C»      '  \ 


33  f  TTNIVr.K^^T'^- 

dying  body ;  but  the  lack  of  wisdoOT^^ifigij^^Mj^v^ 
his  living  soul. 

11.  Reason,  without  revelation,  is  as  a  ship 
without  a  rudder. 

12.  Power  will  accomplish  much,  but  per- 
severance more. 

13.  The  difference  between  a  wise  and  a 
foolish  man  is  this :  the  former  hears  much,  but 
speaks  little;  the  latter  hears  little,  but  speaks 
much. 

14.  As  drinks  have  there  dregs,  so  does  life 
have  its  sediment. 

15.  All  who  are  disposed  to  serve  no  other 
but  their  personal  friends,  are  like  that  epicure 
who  provides  for  his  household  only  such  dishes 
as  suits  his  palate. 

16.  To  make  others  wealthy,  we  must  possess 
gold  —  even  so,  to  accomplish  a  reformation  in 
our  fellow  men,  we  ourselves  must  be  first 
reformed. 


34 


CHAPTER  XV. 

L  Ab  couiilries  are  not  without  their  counter- 
feit money,  neither  are  societies  without  their 
counterfeit  feelings. 

2.  All  who  laugh  in  time,  may  mourn  in 
eternity. 

3.  No  man^s  sight  is  so  strong  that  he  can 
read  in  the  dark,  neither  can  reason,  without 
revelation,  guide  us  to  heaven. 

4.  As  fear  accompanies  guilt,  even  so  does 
beauty  ensnare  genius. 

5.  Worldly  pleasure  is  the  sun  of  the  morn- 
ing, the  cloud  of  the  meridian,  and  the  storm  of 
the  evening. 

6.  As  the  fruit  of  small  trees  is  easily  stolen, 
so  are  the  charms  of  the  comely  poor  easily 
ravished. 

7.  Pleasure  rusts  the  soul,  but  religion  bright- 
i^ns  it, 

S.  To  speak  ill  of  an  individual  in  his  absence, 
is  like  kicking  at  a  dead  lion. 

9.  Never  despise  small  things,  nor  impart 
information  with  ostentation ;  for  we  were  all 


35 

infants  before  we  became  men,  and  pupils  be- 
fore we  became  teachers. 

10.  As  a  savage  cannot  under  stand  the  pro- 
perties or  the  value  of  the  diamond,  neither  can 
a  vicious  man  value  the  graces  of  a  virtuous 
wife. 

11.  No  day  is  so  bright  but  it  may  have  its 
clouds,  neither  is  there  any  country  so  tranquil 
but  it  may  be  politically  agitated. 

12.  To  slander  a  brother  while  he  lives,  and 
to  appear  disconsolate  at  his  death,  is  like  refus- 
ing bread  to  a  hungry  man  and  offering  him  a 
sumptuous  meal  when  he  is  full. 

13.  The  difference  between  fine  oratory  and 
manly  reasoning  is  this :  the  former  is  the  rich 
binding  of  the  book,  but  the  latter  is  its  valu- 
able contents. 

14.  While  the  opulent  bask  in  the  sunshine 
of  friendship,  the  indigent  move  in  the  atmo- 
sphere of  selfishness. 

15.  Prolific  trees  are  not  the  most  durable, 
neither  are  philanthropists  the  longest  livers- 


36 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

1.  Virtue  is  that  fortress  which  will  baffle  the 
machinations  of  the  designing,  and  repulse  the 
battering-ram  of  gold. 

2.  Wealth  without  education  is  as  the  branches 
without  the  vine. 

3.  As  '  an  evil  tree  cannot  produce  good  fruit/ 
neither  can  ignorant  parents  appreciate  the  edu- 
cation of  their  children. 

4.  The  mind  without  education  is  as  a  garden 
without  irrigation. 

5.  An  elevated  soul  shrinks  from  partiality, 
but  the  soul  of  the  niggardly  courts  it. 

.6.  The  harlot  is  like  a  counterfeit  gem,  but 
the  poor  virtuous  woman  is  as  the  unpolished 
diamond. 

7.  Never  marry  a  woman  merely  for  her 
beauty,  or  her  wealth,  for  there  exist  gins  in  the 
one,  and  wings  in  the  other. 

8.  Kings  and  presidents  are  not  to  be  re- 
spected merely  for  their  elevated  position,  but 
f6r  their  wise  governments.  We  do  not  value 
the  gold  for  its  weight,  but  for  its  intrinsic  value. 


37 

9.  To  be  gay,  in  most  cases,  is  to  be  extra- 
vagant and  vain. 

10.  Whatever  we  sow  in  time,  we  shall  reap 
in  eternity. 


38 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

1.  As  fuel" is  to  the  flame,  so  are  hard  words 
to  a  scolding  wife. 

2.  As  jealousy  is  vigilant,  so  is  fortune  and 
beauty  unstable. 

3.  The  careless  in  time  will  be  the  thoughtful 
in  eternity. 

4.  As  the  sun  is  in  the  solar  system,  so  let 
every  rich  man  be  in  the  midst  of  the  poor. 

5.  As  there  is  wisdom  in  vigilance,  and  judg- 
ment in  thinking,  even  so  there  is  boasting  in 
the  coward  and  loquaciousness  in  the  fool. 

6.  Most  women  are  as  spoiled  children,  ever 
inclined  to  have  their  'own  way.' 

7.  A  saintly  expression  often  accompanies  a 
depraved  mind. 

8.  A  wise  man  speaks  to  be  heard,  but  a  fool 
speaks  to  hear  himself. 

9.  As  a  fish  is  out  of  his  native  element,  so  is 
a  fool  in  the  company  of  the  wise. 

10.  As  a  model  is  to  the  architect,  so  let  every 
Christian  minister  be  in  the  midst  of  his  flock. 

11.  A  purse,  loaded  with  gold,  will  fit  us  for 


39 
fashion,  so  will  a  soul,  stored  with  sins,  fit  m 
for  eternal  misery. 

12.  As  the  proper  use  of  wine  is  to  the  body, 
so  is  prayer  to  the  soul. 


THE 

WEALTHY  FARMER  AND  HIS  SONS: 

A    PARABCE. 
BY  REV.  W.  S.  DOWNEY,  B.  M. 


A  certain  wealthy  farmer  had  two  sons, —  the 
first-born,  a  self-conceited  youth,  but  the  young- 
est a  meek,  obedient  child.  The  old  man,  feel- 
ing a  desire  to  provide  for  them,  requested  that 
each  should  wait  upon  him  in  his  study,  which 
they  did.  Shortly  after  they  had  met,  their  fa- 
ther addressed  them  as  follows :  ^  My  dear  chil- 
dren, you  are  doubtless  aware  that  my  wealth  is 
abundant,  and  my  wisdom  great.  It  is  my  wish 
that  you  both  be  setded  in  the  world,  that  you 
should  be  ever  worthy  of  my  love,  and  become 
useful  members  of  society. 


42 

'  I  now  hand  you  a  million  pounds  sterling ; 
iiUggesting  for  your  benefit,  that  you  consult  me 
in  all  that  you  do.  Never  sell  what  you  Avould 
be  unwilling  to  purchase,  and  do  not  purchase 
things  by  their  appearance.' 

Both  heard  their  father  with  attention,  and, 
after  receiving  th^r  portions,  took  their  leave ; 
but,  alas,  with  different  dispositions.  The  old- 
est son  was  determined  to  do  as  he  pleased,  and 
never  seek  counsel  of  the  old  man.  While  the 
youngest  was  conscious  that,  without  his  father's 
advice,  he  could  neither  improve  his  time  nor 
his  money. 

The  brothers  took  different  roads,  and  entered 
into  diflerent  branches  of  business.  The  first- 
born never  returned  to  see  his  kind  father,  nor 
sought  his  counsel,  but  was  at  all  times  to  be 
found  in  the  company  of  the  thoughtless,  the 
debauchee  and  the  spendthrift:  thus  he  both 
wasted  his  time  and  squandered  his  substance, 
and  was  at  length  driven  to  penury — insomuch 
so  as  to  become  a  curse  to  all  around  him— and 
died  in  wretchedness. 

The  youngest  son,  who  was  frequent  in  his 


^3 

visits  to  his  father,  and  who  ever  sought  his 
counsel,  became  weakhy  and  wise,  so  that  he 
was  the  comfort  of  the  old  man,  and  a  blessing 
to  all  around  him.     He  died  happy. 


THE  APPLICATION. 

We  are  to  understand  from  the  parable,  that 
God  is  the  wealthy  and  wise  father,  and  mankind 
are  his  children.  He  has  wisely  suited  duties  to 
privileges.  His  invitations  are  to  all.  We  all 
have  talents  given  us  to  improve.  We  are  all 
to  seek  Him  in  prayer,  as  we  need  His  counsel. 
Without  His  advice  we  must  err ;  without  being 
frequently  at  His  house,  we  are  in  danger  of 
being  lost.  Let  all  those  who  would  neglect 
churches  for  taverns  and  theatres,  bear  in  mind 
that  the  longer  they  turn  from  God,  the  harder 
He  will  be  to  turn  to  them. 

To  seek  God  often,  is  the  highest  wisdom, 
but  to  forsake  him  is  the  greatest  folly — yea, 
the  worst  ingratitude.      Finally,  let  us  all  bear 


44 

in  mind  that  when  we  sin  against  God  from 
ignorance,  He  pities,  and  will,  on  contrition, 
pardon  us ;  but  when  we  transgress  His  laws 
wilfully,  we  '  shall  be  beaten  with  many  stripes ' 
—  and  that,  notwithstanding  'many  are  called, 
but  few  are  chosen.' 


THE 

GREAT  KING  AND  HIS  SERVANTS: 


A  PARABLE. 


BY  REV.  W.  S.  DOWNEY,  B.  M. 


A  certain  Christian  king,  whose  highest  am- 
bition was  to  do  good,  and  who  had  long 
benefited  his  subjects  by  his  benevolent  govern- 
ment and  equitable  decisions,  having  a  desire 
openly  to  display  to  the  nations  around  him  his 
unparalleled  wisdom  and  goodness,  called  the 
most  responsible  of  his  people  together,  and 
addressed  them  as  follows : 

'My  subjects!  as  it  is  my  wish  to  withdraw 
from  our  country  for  a  season,  I  have  convened 
you  together  for  the  purpose  of  acquainting  you 


46 

with  my  pleasure  in  the  admini^lration  of  my 
affairs  during  my  absence,  so  that  there  be  not 
sufficient  excuse  for  my  finding  a  deranged 
state  of  things  upon  my  return. 

*  1st :  I  would  have  you  manage  your  brethren 
in  the  same  way  that  you  do  while  I  am  with 
you,  for  I  shall  hold  each  of  you  strictly  account- 
able for  his  actions,  upon  my  return. 

'2d:  I  insist  upon  your  corresponding  with 
me  regularly.  With  regard  to  my  wealth  —  it 
is  all  before  you ;  and  I  give  to  you  full  power 
to  use  my  treasury  as  you  shall  deem  best  for 
the  welfare  of  yoiu'  brethren  and  the  advance- 
ment of  my  kingdom. 

'  I  would  suggest  that  you  exercise  towards 
your  brethren  that  mercy  I  have  so  freely  dis- 
))ensed  to  you. 

'  The  hour  of  my  return  is  uncertain  ;  but 
this  I  would  have  you  to  know,  that  my  laws 
must  be  faithfully  administered  —  my  plans  all 
carried  on  strictly,  according  to  the  justice  of 
my  views. 

^I  shall,  upon  my  return,  institute  a  strict 
examination  into  the  manner,  in  which  the  af- 


47 

fairs  of  my  kingdom  have  been  discharged  r 
then  I  shall  reward  all  Avho  have  been  faithful, 
and  punish  those  who  have  been  otherwise.' 

He  then  dismissed  the  assembly.  Soon  after 
the  king  had  withdrawn, /oz/r;^//^As  of  his  sub- 
jects threw  off  all  restraint,  and  acted  according 
to  the  dictates  of  their  own  depraved  hearts. 
They  bought  and  sold :  they  builded  and  threw 
down  :  they  neglected  to  correspond  with  their 
master  :  they  expended  the  gold  of  his  treasu- 
ry only  for  their  own  emolument,  or  that  of  their 
personal  friends. 

While  they  went  on  this  way,  the  smaller 
remnant  endeavored,  with  singleness  of  purpose, 
to  accomplish  their  good  king's  will. 

In  an  unexpected  season,  and  an  untho Light 
of  hour,  the  king  returned.  He  summoned  his 
servants  before  him,  and  commenced  a  close 
inspection  of  the  manner  in  which  his  affairs  had 
been  controlled.  But  sad  was  the  state  of  things. 
The  ministers  of  his  cabinet  and  his  courtiers 
first  accounted  by  saying -—^ While  you,  my  lord, 
were  absent,  see  the  good  we  have  done.  We 
have  enacted  laws  from  which  taxes  have  been 


48 

collected  from  our  laboring  and  poor  brethren : 
we  have  built  navies,  and  with  tHe  arms  of  our 
country  subdued  many  neighboring  nations: 
we  have  torn  down  the  old  houses  of  your 
kingdom,  and  erected  costly  palaces  in  their 
stead;  and,  finally,  seeing  the  prosperous  state 
of  things  resulting  from  our  wise  counsels,  we 
considered  it  superfluous  to  trouble  you  with  our 
correspondence  concerning  it.' 

The  next  number  of  his  subjects,  who  stepped 
forward  and  accounted  to  the  good  old  king  of 
their  administration,  were  the  bishops  and  doc- 
tors of  divinity.  These  began  — '  See,  lord,  how 
worthy  we  are  !  we  have  fleeced  from  our 
flocks  as  much  as  it  was  'in  our  power  to  do : 
we  have  torn  down  the  old  churches  and 
erected  magnificient  ones  upon  their  sites,  for 
which  our  richer  brethren  have  rewarded  us  by 
raising  our  salaries  :  we  have  been  very  strict 
in  the  government  of  our  churches — preaching 
twice,  and  sometimes  three  times,  upon  the 
sabbaths :  we  have  not  wasted  our  substance ; 
for,  from  keeping  all  we  got,  we  have  amassed 
an  easy  competency.    We  have  always  incul- 


49 

caled  the  sound  doctrine  of  the  bible,  and  have 
taught  the  poor  to  "give  cheerfully  to  each 
other."  We  have  visited  the  sick  and  poor,  and 
given  them  our  counsel  and  prayers ;  but  we 
have  withheld  the  gold,  deeming  our  counsels 
better  fitted  to  learn  them  the  self-denial  of  the 
gospel,  than  to  place  them  in  the  way  of  temp- 
tation, where  they  may  be  in  danger  of  dressing 
too  richly  or  living  too  luxuriously.  All  this 
good  we  have  done.' 

The  last  but  smallest  number  of  the  king's 
subjects  then  approached.  They  Avere  plainly 
clothed,  and  were  the  poor  of  the  kingdom :  they 
could  boast  neither  of  erecting  palaces  or  cathe* 
drals.  They  had  never  considered  themselves 
wise,  and  feeling  their  lack  of  wisdom,  they 
had  sought  counsel  by  a  constant  correspond- 
ence with  their  master  while  he  was  abroad. 
From  the  resijlt  of  their  correspondence,  they 
hoped  there  would  be  no  reason  for  them  to 
dread  being  called  into  his  presence  upon  his 
return.  All  they  placed  before  him  was  their 
effort  to  obedience,  and  faith  in  his  wisdom  and 
benevolence>    Their  language  was  — '  Mostgra- 


50 

cious  sovereign,  we  have  nothing  of  which  to 
boast,  and  because  we  have  simply  followed 
your  counsel,  we  commend  ourselves  to  your 
mercy  for  the  many  imperfections  you  will  find 
in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  which  have  de- 
volved upon  us.' 

The  good  monarch  having  minutely  examined 
matters,  thus  addressed  the  assembly:  ^My  sub- 
jects, I  have  patiently  heard  all  you  have  said, 
and  have  seen  more  than  yoti  are  conscious  of. 
You,  my  counsellors  and  courtiers,  have  acted 
from  wordly  policy,  and  according  to  your  own 
will  and  pleasure.  The  laws  which  you  have 
passed  can  never  receive  my  sanction;  your 
wars  were  unnecessary ;  your  palaces  were  built 
at  the  expense  of  the  nation ;  you  have  exacted 
what  I  never  required.  Away  with  you!  You, 
Bishops  and  D.D.'s,  your  works  can  never  re- 
ceive any  plaudits  from  me.  They  have  brought 
you  high  wages  and  popularity  among  men  j 
your  superb  churches  are  costly,  and  stand 
proudly  in  the  sight  of  man,  but  sordid  and  low 
are  the  souls  who  officiate  at  their  altars.  Your 
prayers  and  advices  to  the  poor  you  gave  freely, 


51 

because  they  cost  you  nothing;  and  while  you 
have  endeavored  to  appear  outwardly  correct, 
*your  souls  are  the  seat  of  every  unsanctified 
passion.  Away  with  you !  You  have  not  one 
qualification  to  fit  you  for  my  kingdom.' 

While  to  the  third  small  number  he  said  — 
^  You,  my  loyal  and  obedient  subjects,  have  ful- 
filled my  requirements,  "in  doing  to  others  as 
you  would  have  them  do  unto  you."  Your  letters 
I  have  often  received,  and  your  actions  I  have 
approved.  Your  qualifications  entitle  you  to  be 
members  of  my  household.  Come,  come  with 
me  — "  the  inheritance  is  yours,"  ' 


53 


NOTICES    BY    THE    P  R  E  S  .^  . 


'Proverbs,  by  Rev.  Wm.  Scott  Downey,  B.  D.,'  late  Pastor 
of  Mount  Zion  Baptist  Church,  Jamaica,  W.  I. — This  is  a  compila-* 
tion  of  admirable  maxims  for  the  guide  of  conduct  in  all  the  rela- 
tions of  life,  and  for  all  classes,  sexes,  ages  and  conditions.  By- 
living  up  to  them,  we  will  fulfil  our  duty  to  God,  our  neighbors 
and  ourselves,  accomplishing  the  great  end  of  our  creation.  The 
little  book  hai^one  through  two  editions,  and  the  Reverend  author 
is  now  superintending  the  publication  of  a  third. — 

[New-Orleans  Commercial  Bulletin. 

Downey's 'Proverbs.' — A  very  pretty  little  book,  bearing  this 
title,  has  been  placed  on  our  table  by  its  author,  the  Rev.Wm.  S. 
Downey,  B.D.  The  work  is  a  spicy  compendium  of  truthful  re- 
marks, adages  and  proverbs,  culled  out  and  arranged  by  the  author 
in  an  original  and  pleasing  manner.  This  is  the  second  and  im- 
proved edition  of  the  Work,  which  shows  that  it  is  well  received 
by  the  public.  We  commend  it  to  the  notice  of  the  thoughtful 
and  discreet.— <S^.  Isolds  DailyJJnian. 


Downey's  'Proverbs.' — The  second  edition  of  this  choice 
little  Work  has  just  been  issued  from  the  press  of  Morgan  &  Over- 
end.  It  is  beautifully  printed  and  bound,  and  well  worthy  of  a 
place  in  every  dwelling  in  the  city. — Cincinnati  Atlas. 


Downey's  'Proverbs.' — We  are  under  obligations  to  the  au- 
thor for  a  copy  of  this  most  excellent  little  book. — 

{Daily  St.  Loiiis  Times. 


o4 


Do\\'.^KY's  'PiiovEUBS." — A  siiuiii  book  ol'  Proverbs^  by  Rev. 
W.  S.  Downey,  Baptist  Missionary,  has  been  handed  us  by  the 
author.  Besides  the  Proverbs,  the  work  contains  two  parables  — 
'The  Wealthy  Farmer  and  his  Sons,'  and  'The  Great  King  and 
his  Servants.'  The  book  contains  gems  of  thought,  set  in  very 
neat  typography.  A  valuable  little  Work  to  place  upon  a  center 
table. — St.  Loirt's  Vci/if  Or.^-rr/?. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFOENIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 

STAMPED  BELOW 

Books  not  returned  on  time  are  subject  to  a  fine  of 
50c  per  volume  after  the  third  day  overdue,  increasing 
to  $1.00  per  volume  after  the  sixth  day.  Books  not  in 
demand  may  be  renewed  if  application  is  made  before 
expiration  of  loan  period. 


SEP  24  1917 
PfB  7  1918 

SEP  24  1920 
^fR  2Z  182/ 


¥ 


yh  03855 


